Background have been in existence since the 1970’s beginning in Europe first MSR was introduced in Canada in 1992 in Toronto’s Children’s Centre also referred to as “snoezelen” rooms (a combination of the Dutch words “snuffelen,” meaning to seek out or explore, and “doezelen,” which means to relax) the Public Schools Finance Board refers to “snoezelen” rooms in discussing space standards for special education areas 1

Purpose Multi-sensory rooms are designed environments that provide a safe place to promote: communication stimulation sensory exploration relaxation Intellectual activity 2

Approaches Two main approaches in using Multi-Sensory Rooms: to provide an experience where students can relax and explore under the guidance of a teacher or educational assistant for achieving specific and measurable educational goals (e.g., communication goals, such as turn taking, academic goals, such as alphabet knowledge) 3

Who Can Benefit Students with: autism multiple disabilities attention deficit hyperactivity disorder cerebral palsy pervasive developmental delays fetal alcohol spectrum disorder 4

Multi-Sensory Room Guidelines draft form purpose goals usage individual multi-sensory plan multi-sensory room observation checklist 5

Portage Collegiate Institute’s Multi-Sensory Room Usage to calm down agitated/upset students create a learning environment where non-verbal students can explore different sensory experiences (e.g., scents, textures, visual prompts & stimulation, hand-on manipulatives) to achieve IEP goals (e.g., develop motor skills, stimulate visual and tactile skills) 6